The synergistic impact of probiotics and dietary fiber on constipation management in chlorpromazine-induced schizophrenia patients: exploring the modulation of intestinal microbiota and neurotrophic factors

Abstract

Objective

To explore the improvement effect of probiotics combined with dietary fiber on constipation in patients with schizophrenia.

Methods

To compare the improvement scores of constipation, constipation symptoms, quality of life, neurotrophic factors-related indicators, and clinical efficacy between the two groups.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in Cleveland Constipation Scoring System (CCS) scores in the control group before and after treatment (p > 0.05), while the CCS scores in the observation group decreased significantly after treatment (p < 0.05); Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms scores significantly decreased in the observation group compared to the control group (p < 0.05), with no significant difference in Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life scores between the two groups pre- and post-treatment; Neuron-specific enolase levels decreased significantly in both groups post-treatment, while brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neuregulin-1, and nerve growth factor levels increased significantly, with a more pronounced rise in the observation group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the total effective rate of clinical treatment in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Probiotics combined with dietary fiber can improve constipation symptoms in patients with schizophrenia accompanied by constipation, effectively maintain the balance of intestinal microbiota, and improve the quality of life of patients. Additionally, levels of neurotrophic factors associated with bowel function and neurological health increased significantly, with a higher total effective rate of clinical treatment observed in the probiotics and dietary fiber group. These findings suggest the potential efficacy of probiotics and dietary fiber in managing constipation in this patient population.

Keywords:

• Probiotics
• dietary fiber
• patients with schizophrenia
• constipation
• intestinal microbiota
• efficacy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by 1. National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81971250); 2. Opening Project of Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders (Grant No. 2020JSJB01); 3. Medical Science and Technology Research Program of Henan Province (Grant No. LHGJ20200573).